Junction device for hoses

ABSTRACT

A junction device ( 1 ) for hoses ( 2 ) comprises an insert ( 3 ) having a portion ( 3   a ) inserted internally to an end of a hose ( 2 ) and a bushing ( 9 ) inserted externally to said end of the hose and locked to maintain the end of the hose securely inserted between the portion ( 3   a ) of said insert and the bushing. The insert comprises an annular groove ( 6 ) interposed between the portion ( 3   a ) inserted internally to the end of the hose and a portion ( 3   b ) external to said hose, whilst the bushing ( 9 ) comprises a concave annular area ( 10 ) which, when the junction device is assembled, is positioned internally to said annular groove of the insert. The insert further comprises an annular rib ( 7 ) to provide an area of interference with the concave annular area ( 10 ) of the bushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a junction device for hoses.

[0002] As is well known, such devices are used in plants fordistributing pressurised fluids, in which it is necessary to provide forthe end of the pipe to be able to be inserted easily and rapidly into anapparatus positioned downstream of the junction device itself.

[0003] For this purpose junction devices are known which comprise aninsert destined to be inserted into the free end of the hose and abushing destined to be inserted externally to the hose itself.

[0004] By pinching the three elements thus assembled, the locking of thehose is obtained between the bushing and the insert. The insertcomprises sealing elements, for instance O-rings, inserted in thecoupling area with the apparatus to be used.

[0005] Known device can comprise both the bushing and the insert made ofmetallic material, but they have rather high costs.

[0006] Also known are devices in which the insert is made of plasticmaterial, consequently decreasing costs. In addition, this type ofdevices has some drawbacks.

[0007] In the first place the coupling of the bushing and the insert isstabilised only by means of the final clinching phase. In the secondplace, to guarantee the seal and prevent the pipe from being extracted,the clinching operation is performed with shaped clamps, expressly made,which crush the insert, deforming it, with the risk of limiting itssealing ability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaiddrawbacks by making available a junction device which allows a correctpositioning between bushing and insert and a proper centering during theclinching phase. A further aim of the present invention is tostandardise the dimensions of the bushing and prevent possibledeformations of the insert during the manufacturing phase.

[0009] Yet another aim is to obtain a proper centering between the hoseand locking elements with the downstream apparatus, to avoid off-axisconditions and incorrect positioning of the sealing elements.

[0010] Said aims are fully achieved by the junction device for hoses ofthe present invention, which is characterised by the contents of theclaims set out below and specifically in that it comprises an insertprovided with an annular groove and a bushing provided with a concaveannular area which, when the junction device is assembled, is positionedinternally to said annular groove of the insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] This and other features will become more readily apparent fromthe description that follows of a preferred embodiment illustrated,purely by way of non limiting example, in the accompanying drawingtables, in which:

[0012]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a lateral section view of a junction deviceaccording to the present invention, respectively in two assembly phases;

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a lateral section view of the device of FIG. 1according to a possible use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With reference to the figures, the reference number 1 indicates ajunction device for hoses 2, able to connect the hose with an apparatus,not shown in the figure.

[0015] The aforesaid junction device comprises an insert 3 made ofplastic material, destined to be inserted inside the hose 2 at least fora portion indicated as 3 a.

[0016] This portion presents a toothed surface and the shape of theteeth is such as to prevent a possible extraction of the hose relativeto the insert.

[0017] The insert 3 presents a substantially symmetrical shape relativeto a longitudinal axis 4, obtained by rotation of the profile shownabout the longitudinal axis.

[0018] In addition to the toothed portion 3a and at the opposite siterelative thereto, the insert 3 comprises a portion 3 b that is externalrelative to the hose 2 and destined to interact with the apparatusdownstream of the hose, not shown herein. For this purpose the externalportion 3 b comprises a housing 5 for an O-ring, not shown and destinedto maintain the seal between the device 1 and the successive apparatus.

[0019] The insert 3 is hollow to allow flow continuity from the hose 2to the successive apparatus.

[0020] The lateral surface of the insert 3 originally comprises anannular groove 6 interposed between the portion 3 a inserted inside theend of the hose and the portion 3 b external to the hose. Preferably,the groove has a “V” profile, as shown in the figure.

[0021] In addition to the annular groove 6, an annular rib 7 is alsoadvantageously provided, interposed between the portion 3 a insertedinside the end of the hose and the annular groove 6. Said rib representsan increase in the mean diameter of the insert 3 relative to the toothedportion 3 a and to the annular groove 6. In particular, the annular rib7 has a triangular profile and provides a stop for the insertion of theinsert 3 inside the hose 2. The latter is positioned against the wallsof the annular rib 7.

[0022] The insert 3 also comprises a reinforcement area 8 interposedbetween the annular groove 6 and the portion 3 b external to the hose 2.As illustrated in the figure, the reinforcement area has a cone frustumdevelopment providing connection between the annular groove 6 and theexternal portion 3 b.

[0023] The junction device 1 further comprises a bushing 9 insertedexternally to the end of the hose 2 into which the insert 3 is inserted.

[0024] The bushing is made of metallic material in order to be clinchedaround the hose 2 and to the insert 3 and locked to maintain the end ofthe hose securely inserted between the portion 3 a of the insert and thebushing itself.

[0025] The bushing 9 originally comprises a concave annular area 10which, when the junction device is assembled is positioned internally tothe annular groove 6 of the insert 3, to increase the resistance of thehose to traction and extraction.

[0026] When the bushing is inserted externally to the hose and to theinsert, the annular rib 7 provides an area of interference with theconcave annular area 10 of the bushing, whilst the reinforcement area 8provides a stop for the end of the bushing 9.

[0027] In this way, the proper positioning of the bushing on the insertis guaranteed, along with an immediate self-centering of bushing andinsert during the clinching phase and a better seal of the junctiondevice 1.

[0028] In addition to the above description, the junction device 1 canadvantageously comprise a locking ring 11 inserted externally to thebushing 9 and interacting with the reinforcement area 8. Said lockingring has the purpose of connecting the hose 2 with the apparatuspositioned downstream of the junction device.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the locking ring 11 can advantageouslycomprise a housing 12 in which the reinforcement area 8 is positioned,thereby obtaining a self-centering of the junction device relative tothe locking ring.

[0030]FIGS. 1 and 2 show the positioning to the elements of the devicebefore and after the clinching operation. the first phase provides forthe positioning of the bushing in such a way that the concave annulararea 10 is positioned beyond the rib 7, in correspondence with theannular groove 6. Subsequently the concave annular area 10 is insertedinside the annular groove 6 obtaining the resistance against extractionof the junction device 1, whilst the remaining portion of the bushingtightens the hose around the internal portion 3 a of the insert 3.

[0031] The junction device according to the present invention has someimportant advantages. In particular, the assembly between the bushingand the insert takes place securely even before the actual clinchingthanks to the presence of the annular rib and of the annular concavearea which obtain a restrained joint between the two elements.Consequently, the mutual self-centering between the insert and thebushing is obtained, which improves the mutual grip and thus the seal ofthe junction device itself. The coupling of the concave annular area andof the annular groove allows a perfect resistance against extraction ofthe hose.

[0032] Moreover, the simplicity of the geometry of the bushing allows touse linear lamps and practically standardised bushings even with varyingtypes of inserts.

[0033] To the above should be added the fact that thanks to thesubstantially linear profile of the bushing in proximity to the internalportion of the insert, the latter undergoes no deformations and henceguarantees a better seal.

[0034] The presence of the reinforcement area and in particular theinteraction of the latter with the locking ring allows a rapid assemblywith the apparatus downstream of the junction device. Moreover thecoupling of the locking ring with the reinforcement area is considerablyimproved by the presence of the housing which effects the self-centeringand prevents any displacements of the hose from influencing the positionof the O-ring and hence the seal.

What is claimed
 1. A junction device (1) for hoses (2), of the typecomprising: an insert (3) having a portion (3 a) inserted internally toan end of a hose (2); a bushing (9) inserted externally to said end ofthe hose and locked to maintain the end of the hose securely insertedbetween the portion (3 a) of said insert and the bushing, wherein saidinsert has an annular groove (6) interposed between the portion (3 a)inserted internally to the end of the hose and a portion (3 b) externalto said hose, and said bushing (9) has a concave annular area (10)which, when the junction device is assembled, is positioned internallyto annular groove of the insert.
 2. A junction device as claimed inclaim 1 , wherein said insert (3) has an annular rib (7) interposedbetween the portion (3 a) inserted internally to the end of the hose andsaid annular groove (6) to provide an area of interference with saidconcave annular area (10) of the bushing, said rib further providing astop for the insertion of the insert (3) into the hose.
 3. A junctiondevice as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said insert has a reinforcementarea (8) interposed between the annular groove (6) and the portion (3 b)external to said hose to strengthen the insert and provide a stop ofsaid bushing.
 4. A junction device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein thejunction device has a locking ring (11) inserted externally to saidbushing and inter acting with said reinforcement area to connect saidhose with an apparatus positioned downstream of said junction device. 5.A junction device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said locking ring (11)has a housing (12) for said reinforcement area to effect aself-centering of the junction device relative to the locking ring.
 6. Adevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insert is made of plasticmaterial.